Manila: Palace Press Officer and Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro will be holding a meeting with the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) to address the issues concerning the state insurer's excess funds. 'Later, I will be having a meeting with the PhilHealth representative so that I will be made aware of all the facts and details of these so that we can also tell to the people what really happened,' Castro said in a press briefing on Thursday.

According to Philippines News Agency, Castro emphasized the necessity for public awareness regarding the legality of transferring PhilHealth funds to the national treasury. 'We have to explain to the Filipino people what really happened - Is it illegal? Is it legal? Is it based on the law? And then I will tell you what are the things that we will be talking this afternoon,' she stated.

The Supreme Court (SC) in October last year issued a temporary restraining order against the further transfer of PhilHealth funds to the national treasury following several petitions. The petitions - filed by 1Sambayan Coalition, a group led by Senate Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, and another group led by Bayan Muna party-list chair Neri Colmenares - sought to stop the transfer of PHP89.9 billion in excess funds from PhilHealth to the national treasury.

However, PHP60 billion in unutilized funds were already transferred at the time of the filing, with only PHP29.9 billion remaining with PhilHealth. Castro reiterated that Malaca±ang will adhere to the Supreme Court's decision on the matter. 'Whatever the Supreme Court will ask of the government to do, we will comply,' she affirmed.